You need social skills to have a conversation in real life -- but they're quite different from the skills you need to write good dialogue. Educator Nadia Kalman suggests a few "anti-social skills," like eavesdropping and muttering to yourself, that can help you write an effective dialogue for your next story. [Directed by Joyce Stenneke, narrated by Rose Eveleth].

Nadia Kalman: Three anti-social skills to improve your writing

Three anti-social skills to improve your writing

Eavesdropping, a tool for writers, transforms overheard conversations into compelling fiction, showcasing human diversity.

Pretending imaginary people are real fosters empathy in storytelling, compelling writers to delve deep into diverse human experiences.

Muttering to oneself aids in crafting authentic dialogue, ensuring characters' speech mirrors their unique backgrounds and personalities.